Description

Elective Africa provides a nursing program with an emphasis on the unique healthcare delivery in developing countries where nurses have more care-provider time to patient-care time than any other medical professional. High patient loads and limited resources, particularly in rural areas, require nurses in Africa to learn and perform varying tasks beyond traditional nursing duties in the developed world. Because hospitals and clinics are often understaffed, you will get an opportunity to assist with a variety of duties under the supervision of experienced nurses and doctors that we work with. You will spend time in the wards, learning from doctors and nurses during the ward rounds, caring for patients and relating with their familities.

This placement is suited for nursing students at accredited colleges and universities seeking an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. It is suited to meet nursing elective, clinical preceptorship, independent study or internships abroad requirements.

Registered Nurses (RN) can also take part in our nursing program and their contribution is of significance due to understaffing in these facilities. Resident staff will appreciate your skill. Check out our resources for the different learning experiences by our past students.

Details

Among other duties our nursing program participants will have opportuntiies to;

Assist in the various bedside procedures such as IV cannulation and fluid administration; wound management; giving medication already prescribed by doctors through various administration routes and taking care of patients general comfort

Those attached in the obstetrics department will assist with labour and delivery; among other nursing procedures

Provide support in history taking, interviewing, arriving at diagnosis and creating a nursing plan including its execution by working under the supervision of qualified doctors and nurses

Support health education to the patient and family

As any nurse in a developing country would attest in larger hospitals, particularly teaching hospitals, the demands upon their times and skills are still highly stretched due to the high patient load. Working alongside such highly stretched medical professionals offers a very rich learning experience for student nurses.

Nursing placement can be in various fields such as paediatric nursing and adult nursing especially in the trauma and surgical wards treating accident patients and general ward areas. The program integrates various learning components such as:

Hospital volunteering shadowing nurses and doctors

Students encouraged to participate in group discussions and case presentation

Community volunteer work

The program is ideal for nursing students seeking any of the following:

A unique way to meet a nursing program clinical elective requirement

An independent study project abroad

Opportunity to integrate various theoretical concepts and knowledge in a clinical setting with substantial hands on experience

Opportunity to observe and practice delivery of nursing care based upon the goals of health restoration, maintenance and promotion

Experience healthcare in a developing world setting with limited access to modern equipment

A means to volunteer in underserved communities in both hospital settings and community based projects

We also organise for the students safari in either Kenya or Tanzania, including hikes to Mt. Kilimanjaro. See the safari link at http://electiveafrica.com/safari